UK-bound travelers warned: Don’t bring khat products

MANILA, Philippines -  Travelers bound for the United Kingdom were advised yesterday against bringing products containing khat, a plant often chewed like tobacco for its amphetamine-like stimulant effect, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said.  

MIAA assistant general manager for security and emergency services Vicente Guerzon said he received a letter from the British embassy dated June 13 stating that starting yesterday, the UK has banned the plant and its enforcers will confiscate khat products and prosecute anyone caught carrying them. 

The MIAA runs the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Erlinda Leones, who heads NAIA’s plant quarantine section, said they have started monitoring travelers for khat plant products.

The khat plant has been banned in the United States, Canada, most parts of Europe, India, Saudi Arabia and some African countries such as Erithea, Namibia, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tanzania.